Basel fight back to secure draw in Champions League opener

Basel fought back to secure a 1-1 draw in their Champions League Group A opener against Ludogorets at St Jakob-Park.

Jonathan Cafu fired the Bulgarians ahead on the stroke of half-time.

However, Basel, who had won eight games from eight so far this season and are already nine points clear of nearest rivals Young Boys in the Swiss top flight, produced a strong second-half showing and were rewarded with 10 minutes left when Renato Steffen hooked the ball in at the far post.

With these two sides expected to contest third place behind experienced European campaigners Paris St Germain and Arsenal, neither could really afford to lose early ground with defeat in the opening group games.

The plans of Basel coach Urs Fischer, though, were forced to change when striker Marc Janko was forced off on 39 minutes because of injury. He was replaced by Seydou Doumbia, the Ivory Coast forward on loan from Roma.

Ludogorets, currently fourth in the Bulgarian top flight, silenced the home support when they took the lead on the stroke of half-time.